Two and a Half Months of Learning and Finally Getting My License in My Pocket!

Hello everyone!

I'm writing this review while the memories are still fresh because just a few days ago I finally got my hands on that pink plastic card!

I've got a lot of thoughts and impressions about my time at Smolny driving school, so I'll try to pack in as much information as possible that helped me and hopefully will help those who read this review.

Stage 1: Signing Up for Driving School

I'd been thinking about taking driving lessons for a long time – about two years. I had the chance to start earlier, but I didn't think I was ready. If you've got the means and time but are still hesitant, don't wait – just sign up and take the first step. For me, the important factor was the time of day – evening classes so I could fit them in after work. I signed up for Smolny driving school because it was right next door (a two-minute walk) and classes started at 7 pm, which is perfect for a working person. With the student discount, the total came out to 17,900 rubles. As far as I know, it used to be more expensive, but I think the price is fair.

After signing the contract, you've got some time to get a medical check-up (they give you a referral when you sign up), which costs 2,000 rubles. You need to bring the document and hand it over to the administrator on the first lesson.

Stage 2: Training, Theory

A few days before classes started, the administrator calls and tells you when and which days the theory lessons will be (just in case the schedule changes). Mine were on Mondays, Wednesdays – two hours each. In reality, sometimes we had classes on Fridays too, so we could finish the theory before starting practice. And instead of two hours, we'd sometimes sit for three, but that's not a big deal – by 10 pm, your brain is pretty mushy.

The theory teacher, an older guy, is actually pretty good. He's not the best listener, but the material really sticks with you. Thanks to him, I was able to recall some things that wouldn't have sunk in just by memorizing them. He explained everything clearly, and each lesson started with a quick review of the previous one.

Regarding the study materials, I'd recommend not buying them from the driving school, but rather getting them from a bookstore. You only need two books: the rules and the tests. And to be honest, the test book isn't the best study aid – I used websites to practice and an app on my phone. It's convenient that if you do a test every day, by the time the exam comes around, you'll have these tests down pat. Plus, the pictures on the websites are exactly the same as on the exam at the traffic police, while in the books they're slightly different, which can be confusing.

I'd advise not to slack off on the theory – I went to every lesson, even when I was exhausted, and it was worth it. You can get by for a month, but after the first lesson, our group went from 30 people to around 10, and that affected the outcome – I'll explain below.

Theory is important, and the sooner you start solving the tests and dedicating time to it, the calmer you'll be on the exam. You don't need to look for logic or get upset about the answers – just memorize and you'll be fine.

One of the things I'm looking forward to in the next couple of weeks is the practical driving test at the driving school. It's not a requirement, but I think it's a great idea to take it, just to get a feel for what to expect. It's a good way to identify your weaknesses and work on improving them.

Phase 3: Practice, Driving

During one of the classes, we were assigned to cars, but I didn't get to choose mine. I was paired with an instructor, and they said they'd get in touch with me. It's not a personalized approach, but I guess it worked out for me. Some students chose to come with friends or classmates, so they were grouped together with an instructor.

My classes started a bit later than everyone else's, probably over a month after the theory classes began. Some people started practicing within three weeks.

I really liked my instructor, and the car was fine. They explained things clearly and never yelled at me, which was a relief. I'd read some reviews about them beforehand, so I was prepared for anything.

We started with small exercises, driving on a relatively quiet road. There were enough cars around to make it feel realistic.

By the way, we always coordinated our schedules to make sure it was convenient. They never told me to come at a certain time and expect me to figure it out. We started at 8 or 9 am, and I was able to adjust my work schedule accordingly. Some students took the early morning slots, but I think it's better to be on time for work than to take a few classes and risk being late.

On most days, we finished by 9 am, and I was able to make it to work on time. The first two classes were just driving in a circle, getting used to the gear shifts and pedals. Then we moved on to a longer route, and the instructor would give me more complex tasks to complete. The practice area was about 15-20 minutes away, and I was always driving myself, with the instructor's guidance, of course.

I wanted to mention that I was always behind the wheel, but I saw some students being driven to the practice area and then switching with their instructor. I don't think that's the best approach, since you need to practice driving yourself to become a good driver. The road to the practice area wasn't that difficult, so it's strange that they wouldn't let you drive yourself.

Our classes were usually an hour or two long, which was enough time to practice driving in the city and on the practice area.

The practice area was a bit rough, located in an industrial zone with some construction going on. There was a warehouse nearby, but it didn't affect our practice. We could usually have 2-3 cars on the area at the same time, which was fine.

The elements we practiced included an overpass, a three-point turn, a zigzag course, parallel parking, and reverse parking in a box.

For me, the hardest part was reverse parking in a box. I just couldn't get it right, no matter how many times I tried. The other elements were manageable, though.

I often drove myself to work after classes, which was a huge plus and super convenient. Nobody would just drop you off on the street and make you ride to a random place, the instructor would always ask 'where do you need to go today?' and we'd just head in the right direction. So, if you're training near your place of residence or work, keep that in mind, although it might just have been my luck.

After classes, I ended up with around 20 hours of training. For a basic, minimal skill level, that's enough. Of course, 60 hours is a different story. Be prepared to ask for extra hours if needed, and that'll cost extra. Nobody pushed me to pay for extra hours, which I'd read about some instructors doing, making students pay up to 1000 rubles for extra lessons. I don't know, maybe the law changes had an effect, I'm not sure.

On one of the last classes, they'll probably tell you about the safety net for the exam, I think most people know about that already.

Stage 4: School Exam

This is a mandatory part of the training. The exam was held a week before the actual GIBDD exam.

You need to arrive at the central office of Smolny at the appointed time, where you'll take the theory exam, which is the same as the real thing. If you pass the theory, you'll need to go to another location to take the practical exam. After that, head back to the academy and pick up your certificate of completion.

I felt a bit nervous during the exam, but overall, I was confident in my knowledge, thanks to constantly passing the quizzes.

However, not everyone made it to the practical exam, many people failed the theory. This just goes to show that, despite driving, theory shouldn't be an afterthought, or you'll have to pay for a retake, which is 2600 rubles.

Stage 5: Preparing for the GIBDD Exam

After the school exam, there are no more classes, you're on your own. You can either review or practice.

Here's another thing: paying the fee for the driver's license and registering for the exam. I found this part a bit confusing, even though the admin kept reminding us to create a personal account or register on the Gosuslug website. This is necessary to register for the exam and pay the fee with a discount (1400 rubles instead of 2000).

After that, they said some more things, but the admin's explanation was off, she said we needed to go to the MVD website through the Gosuslug site and register. What?

In reality, it's much simpler. When you get your certificate of completion, go to the Gosuslug website, select 'Driver's License' and then 'Obtaining... after preparation (re-preparation)', fill out the form. Then, choose a date and time for the exam, and you'll get a confirmation the day before.

This process is for both paying the fee and registering for the exam. You need to do this because, as of recently, registration through the Gosuslug website is mandatory before the exam, or you might not be allowed to take it.

Stage 6: The GIBDD Exam and Getting Your License

And then there's the big day. 2.5 months of training have passed, I've got my quizzes, elements, rules, signs, and more memorized.

I showed up at 8 am sharp to the MREO, and let me tell you, it was a madhouse. I counted over 100 people, easy. As the doors opened at 8, everyone started rushing in, trying to find their group. It's chaos, but you gotta stay focused and find your crew, because the instructor will be calling out names and groups soon. By 9, the theory part started, and let's just say it was a tough crowd. Only 20 people made it through, and I was one of the lucky ones. Then, the waiting game began. I was stuck outside for 4 hours, surrounded by other driving schools, in a pretty industrial area. It's not exactly the most pleasant experience, especially when it's raining or snowing. But, I did get to see the testing area, and it's actually pretty cool. The problem is, there aren't enough instructors to go around, so the wait is even longer. Finally, around 2 pm, we got started on the actual test. The route was a bit tricky, but not too complicated. The nerves and the cold made it a bit tougher, but I managed to stay calm. The road was pretty deserted, which was a relief. The examiner, on the other hand, was a bit of a grump. You gotta be tough and focused to get through it. After what felt like an eternity, we finally finished the test. Then, it was time to wait some more. This time, it was for the results. I was waiting for what felt like 2-3 hours, but finally, they called out my name and I got my picture taken. The last part was just waiting for my documents, which included my brand new driver's license. The whole experience was a bit of a blur, but I'm just glad it's over. If you're not lucky enough to pass on the first try, don't worry, you'll get another chance in a week. Just be prepared for the paperwork and the hassle of getting your documents in order. Oh, and one more thing – don't forget to bring your passport and a printed copy of your payment receipt on the day of the test. The school will take care of the rest. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the Smolny driving school. Sure, they could use a bit more practice time, but what can you do? The cost is reasonable, the theory is solid, the instructors are helpful, and the staff is top-notch. If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up in the DMs. Thanks for reading, and good luck to you all!